CADC Mourns the Passing of Professor D.K. Ruth
Update: Friday, August 28, 2009 9:00 a.m.
Click here for the online obituary from the Opelika-Auburn News.
Update: Thursday, August 27, 2009 4:00 p.m.
Obituary for D.K. Ruth
Dennis K. (D.K.) Ruth of Auburn, died Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at his home. Born on July 13, 1944 in Cleveland, Tennessee, D.K. was the son of the late Catherine and Earl Kyle Ruth. He is survived by his wife, Linda Cain Ruth, his sons, Alex and Phillip of Auburn; daughter, Shelley Ruth, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; son Jeff and daughter-in-law, Carla, and granddaughter Peyton of Dallas, Texas; sisters Karen Hatcher of Atlanta, Tanya McDonnell of Orlando and Pam Ledford of Cleveland, Tennessee and his granddog, Charlie.
D.K. earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Auburn University and a Master of Architecture from Harvard University, Graduate School of Design. After practicing architecture and teaching at Mississippi State and the University of Tennessee, he returned to his alma mater in Auburn in 1989 as a Professor in the School of Architecture. He later served as both the Head of the Department and as the Interim Dean of the College of Architecture, Design and Construction.
The focus of his life was his home and family. He was in all ways and always a very gifted architect and teacher. His life was one of spirit, love, service and support for his students, communities and people.
In 1992, D.K. co-founded the Rural Studio in south Alabama with long-time friend and colleague Samuel (Sambo) Mockbee. In recent years, Professor Ruth conceived, created and implemented the College of Architecture Design and Construction’s Design-Build Graduate Program. D.K. was a highly regarded speaker on context-based education and socially-conscious design, both nationally and internationally. He was the recipient of over twenty teaching and design excellence awards, including the Algernon Sydney Sullivan award for service to humanity.
He touched and enriched the lives of many using his homespun manner to convey his wisdom with patience for and understanding of others. It is hoped that all will celebrate his wonderful, accomplished life and the way he lived it, with joy and caring for others.
A Celebration of Life dinner for family, friends and students, both past and present, will be at the Ruth’s home at 2249 Wire Rd. at 6:00 p.m., Saturday, August 29. Receiving of friends will be at the Founder’s Chapel of Auburn United Methodist Church at 220 E. Magnolia from 2:00 to 4:00 on Sunday, August 30. The funeral service will be held at 4:00 in the sanctuary at AUMC with burial services immediately following at Town Creek Cemetery in Auburn.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Auburn University Foundation for the D.K. Ruth Memorial Scholarship Fund, Attn: Gift Accounting, 317 South College Street, Auburn, AL 36849.
Update: Thursday, August 27, 2009 2:00 p.m.
The service for D.K. Ruth will be held on Sunday, August 30, 2009 with visitation from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Founder’s Chapel, Auburn United Methodist Church, 220 E. Magnolia Avenue, Auburn, AL 36830; 4:00 p.m. service in the main sanctuary; burial to follow at Town Creek Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Auburn University Foundation for the D.K. Ruth Memorial Scholarship Fund, Attn: Gift Accounting, 317 South College Street, Auburn, AL 36849.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Statement from College of Architecture, Design and Construction Dean Dan Bennett:
“I am truly saddened to tell you that Professor D.K. Ruth passed away on the evening of August 25. I speak for all our faculty, staff and students in expressing profound sadness…he was a friend, colleague and esteemed teacher and architect who served Auburn in many, many capacities. We will all miss him more than words can express.”
The college will provide updates on this page as more information becomes available.
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